The Great Column (top block) 1512 - 1522

Albrecht Durer made this engraving, called "The Great Column," sometime in the early 16th century. In it, we see a satyr perched atop an elaborate column. The image creates meaning by combining classical and grotesque elements. Durer was working in a time when artists were rediscovering classical forms and motifs, but they were also interested in exploring the darker side of human nature. We can see the influence of the church, whose leaders were suspicious of the pagan imagery of classical antiquity, in Durer's choice to place the figure of a devil on top of the column. As art historians, we can look at how the Northern Renaissance was appropriating classical forms. We can study engravings and prints made at that time, and examine the correspondence between artists and their patrons. By analyzing the social conditions that shaped Durer's artistic production, we can better understand the complex meanings of his work.